Interior Health says a final decision on the long-term plan for laboratory services in Trail won’t be made until early next year.
In the meantime, outpatient laboratory services will continue to be available at the Trail Health Centre, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and at LifeLabs at Waneta Plaza, Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Urgent and acute lab services are available at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital.
In June, Interior Health announced plans to close the downtown lab and move staff to the hospital and LifeLabs, but delayed the move following a public outcry. Trail’s mayor said she was hopeful about finding a resolution.
The health authority said it is continuing to talk to community leaders about service options in consultation with the Ministry of Health.
“We will continue engagement over the next few months to better understand the impact the community health centre has and with this extra time be better positioned to align laboratory services,” said lab services director Joanne Isber.
“We know that changes to lab services are needed to make the best use of limited staffing resources in Trail and we have to ensure those services meet the needs of all patients.”
Trail mayor Colleen Jones said she was pleased that Interior Health is not rushing to make a decision.
“It will give us time to work on other issues that the community has shared with us regarding their experiences with getting blood work done,” she said.
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